Light from the Shadow

Chapter 5

We are worried about the future, Your Majesty. If Princess Ayna can't use her magi what will happen when she ascends the throne?

If the ruler of Remblan cannot wield magi, we afraid... this country has no future...

Stop... Stop... I...

"STOP!!!" Ayna woke up drenched in sweat. She looked around. Nightmare? She was in her room. Her head hurt.

"Your Highness! You are awake!" Maria who just came in, ran to her bedside. "How are you feeling? The physician just left. Wait here. I'll call..."

"I'm okay, Maria." Ayna stopped the maid. "What... happened to me?"

Maria frowned. "Yesterday, you passed out in the Grand Library. Mr. Rishi brought you here. Remember?"

Rishi...? Right. I went to see him. After that... what happened...

"He said... you used your brain too much." Maria scratched her head. "We are happy to see you finally getting serious with your study but... please don't force yourself, Your Highness."

What? What lies did he tell everyone???

Maria clapped her hands together and smiled meaningfully. "Mr. Rishi is so handsome, isn't he? We've never seen you this eager to learn before. Hehe."

WHAT????

Ayna cleared her throat. "Shut it, Maria. Where... is he?"

"Mr. Rishi?" Maria asked. Ayna nodded.

"He should be in the Grand Library... Ah! He left a message that he would come later to visit you." Maria recalled the event from yesterday and squealed in excitement. "I wish I can show you how he brought you here yesterday. He held you in his arms, bridal style no less, and gently put you..."

"You can stop now, Maria. I want to rest for a little longer. Please wake me up before he comes."

Maria nodded and left the room dejected.

Ayna let her back fell on the bed. She pulled the blanket and covered her whole face. That was so embarrassing!!!

***

That power... what was that...? Rishi was sitting in his office, thinking about yesterday's incident. He touched his left cheek. The wound had been treated but it was pretty deep so it might take a few days to heal.

That is magi power, no doubt. But how? Rumors said that the princess could not use magi.

He took one of the books from his desk and started flipping through the pages.

Magi, an ancient art that was passed down in Remblan royal family, had been the shield that protected the kingdom for ages. All their descendants held this special power, and while relatives of the ruler were also blessed with magi, their power was nowhere near the direct descendant. It can heal when it was used right but one wrong move could result a devastating destruction to the country... and the wielder. It was only fortunate that the Kingdom of Remblan had been blessed with wise rulers in the last few generations.

Rishi closed the book. So the problem is with her...

He sat there thinking in his room for a while before getting up, taking some books with him and left the room.

***

"How are you feeling?" Rishi asked as he entered Ayna's room... without knocking.

Ayna who was still in bed, jumped and rose from the bed. "Wha... What are you doing??? How can you just enter my room like that?? Guards, where are the guards??"

Rishi took a chair and dragged it to her bedside. "That's not important. Can we talk now?"

What the hell is wrong with this man???

"What do you want?" Ayna retorted.

He sat down and looked at her. Ayna could not read his expression. He looked... bored. She noticed the band aid on his left cheek, right below his glasses. Her hand unconsciously reached for it but Rishi quickly whacked her hand away.

"Ouchh!! What are you doing???" Ayna shrieked.

"I don't think I gave you permission to touch me." Rishi looked at her as if disgusted by her behavior.

"What...?? You touched me too last time!" Ayna protested.

"That's self-defense. Tell me, how are you feeling now?" Rishi shifted the topic.

Ayna shivered. Her gaze fell on the mark on her right hand. "What... happened yesterday?"

"I'll tell you after you answered my question." Rishi replied.

Ayna clenched her blanket. "I am... alright. I just had nightmare."

"What kind of nightmare?"

Ayna knitted her brows. "Why are you asking this? It's none of your business."

Rishi got up from his seat. "I'm leaving."

"Wait! Wait!" Ayna quickly pulled his sleeves to hold him down.

Rishi removed her hand and took back his seat. "Why are you hiding the fact that you can use magi?"

"I don't know what you mean." Ayna averted her eyes.

"You don't know? Should I make you remember what you did yesterday?" He peeled off the band aid on his face forcefully, making the wound reopened. He could feel fresh blood seeping down his cheek. He grabbed her hand and made her touch the wet wound.

"Stop..." Ayna's body turned cold.

"Look and feel it, carefully. You did this." Ayna tried to pull her hand away but Rishi would not let her.

She shook her head. Her voice was trembling. "Stop... please... I'm scared..."

"Why? What are you scared of?" Rishi kept pushing her.

Ayna felt like she was losing her consciousness. Her heart was beating fast. Her breathing uneven. "Help..."

Rishi could see her gasping for air and her eyes getting muddy. He let go of her hand and grabbed her shoulders. "Ayna!!"

The princess returned to her senses, panting.

"Are you alright?" Rishi checked her condition.

Ayna looked at him and clenched her fist. "Get out." She pushed his hands away. "GET OUT!!!"

Rishi was stunned. She looked angry... and hurt. He could see tears forming around her eyes.

"Why... why are you doing this?" Her voice quivered.

Rishi did not answer.

"Leave... please just leave..."

For the first time, Rishi felt sorry for her. He lowered his head and turned himself to the door, taking another glance at the trembling girl before leaving the room quietly.